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You are cordially invited to the Chicago Film Archives’ annual benefit at The Casino in downtown Chicago.

Please join filmmaker Joe Swanberg and host Jacqueline Najuma Stewart at an exclusive brunch and film program that will support the preservation and exhibition of Chicago’s rich history and culture on film.

Joe Swanberg is “the most important filmmaker of his generation … his ideas about filmmaking are the most powerful, influential, transformative, and exemplary ones of the times.” —Richard Brody, The New Yorker

If you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation through Eventbrite of an amount of your choosing.

Where: The Casino 195 East Delaware Chicago, Illinois, 60610

When: Saturday, October 28, 2017 11:00AM to 1:30PM

11:00am – 11:30am Reception with hors d’oeuvres and beverages 11:30am – 12:15am Buffet brunch 12:15pm – 1:30pm Program with host Jacqueline Najuma Stewart, director Joe Swanberg, and the premiere of a brand new film made from CFA's collections

Tickets: $125 or $200 a couple

Sponsor Table: $2500 – Seats 10

Sponsors and their guests are invited to a private reception with Joe Swanberg from 10:30-11am

This benefit will raise much needed funding to help run Chicago’s only independent regional film archive. For over fourteen years, CFA has worked to identify, collect, preserve, and exhibit Chicago’s rich history and culture on film. Today the organization houses over 130 collections and more than 27,000 films. Join us as we celebrate these unique and extraordinary moving images—films that reflect our lives in the 20th century!

This year’s auction prizes are also unique and extraordinary:

1. A private dinner at Lula Cafe with film director Joe Swanberg : Richard Brody, film critic from the New Yorker, says Joe Swanberg is “the most important filmmaker of his generation … his ideas about filmmaking are the most powerful, influential, transformative, and exemplary ones of the times.”

2. One week in Bergamo, Italy during the Bergamo Film Festival, March 2018: This vacation prize includes roundtrip airfare for two, a hotel room for 7 nights, and two passes to the Bergamo Film Festival where CFA will premiere the International Media Mixer. Lonely Planet describes Bergamo as offering “a wealth of art and medieval Renaissance and baroque architecture, a privileged position overlooking the southern plains, breathtaking views and fine dining. Bergamo is one of northern Italy’s most beguiling cities.”

3. Private film screening and party for 20 at Chicago Filmmakers' Firehouse : Choose the film(s) you would like to screen - either from CFA’s collections or a favorite from your past. CFA will help you build the film program you will share with your guests at Chicago Filmmakers' newly renovated historic firehouse. Catered hors d’hoeuvres and beverages included.

4. Michigan Getaway Vacation: Get away and relax in idyllic Harbert, Michigan (only 90 minutes from Chicago) for one week at this lovely vacation home. Available any time in the coming year, this comfortable home is air-conditioned and sleeps six. The prize includes a $100 gift certificate to one of the area’s best restaurants, the Red Arrow Road House.

5. Artisanal Bread Baking Class for 4 with David Pasquesi: Join Actor David Pasquesi (VEEP) in a bread baking class taught by noted food stylist and baker, Mary Valentin. Class will include a day of forming, stenciling, baking and of course eating 3 different sourdough breads. Attendees will bring home their own breads, a jar of Mary’s sourdough starter and recipes. Accompanying food and drink will be served throughout the day.